Thinking about buying an elliptical? Wondering about the benefits of elliptical machines?
Elliptical trainers offer you several unique workout advantages that other machines do not. Here are 6 key benefits of elliptical machines to help you decide if it's the right machine for you:
1) Lower Perceived Rate of Exertion - On an ellipitical you usually work both your arms and legs (whereas on a bike or treadmill you're only working your legs).
This means you get a more full body workout - and this results in what experts call a 'Lower Perceived Rate of Exertion'. This means you actually worked harder than you feel like you worked - and burned more calories. So working out on an elliptical can actually maximize your workout time and minimize your fatigue.
2) Low Impact - Last year, my 65-year-old mother tried an elliptical trainer for the first time. With bad arthritis and fairly poor health, she stays far away from any type of exercise equipment. However with an elliptical she couldn't get over how easy it felt on her joints. She was working up a steady sweat within no time.
Elliptical workouts are a lot lower impact than other machines. They're easier on the joints, hips and back (just make sure you're buying a high quality elliptical that supports proper body mechanics).
This makes them ideal for older exercisers, those who are prone to shin splints or even anyone who wants a lower impact workout than traditional fitness machines.
3) Build Bone Density - Elliptical trainers give you weight resistant workouts that help build bone density and fight osteoporosis. The weight resistant workouts also help to increase your resting metabolic rate so you may continue to burn calories post-workout.
4) Quieter Than A Treadmill - If sound is an issue for you, an elliptical can be much quieter than a treadmill. Ellipticals don't have motors to run (and you don't pound on the deck as with treadmill jogging). Most rely on magnetic resistance which is often (especially on high quality ellipticals) almost silent.
5) Cross-Train Different Sets of Muscle Groups - Unlike treadmills or rowing machines where you're pretty much stuck doing one motion, with elliptical trainers, you can actually target and crosstrain different sets of muscles.
Some ellipticals come with incline or ramp, which actually changes the slope of the elliptical motion. This helps you work and train different muscle groups. This can mean more calories burned and again, a more efficient workout.
6) More Versatile Than Other Machines - One of the key benefits of elliptical machines is that you have so many different movement options that you don't get with other machines.
For example, you can choose forward or backward directions. You can choose to add resistance to the motion or even change the slope of the motion (if your elliptical offers incline or ramp). You can work your arms and legs, or choose to just work your legs alone.
Some ellipticals are now even including workout programs that target a specific goal (like weight loss) or body part (glutes, hamstrings). And some manufacturers are even putting some fun workout tools into their machines like iPod/Mp3 hookups with built in speakers. So you can listen to your favorite tunes or audiobooks when you workout.
So those are 6 key benefits of elliptical machines. If you decide that an elliptical is right for you, make sure to find one that is designed for proper body mechanics, gives you the stride length you need and offers high quality construction.
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